NCDOT 3R Program demonstrates responsible environmental stewardship of resources in complying with the Strategic Plan for Transportation - Connecting people and places in North Carolina - safely and efficiently, with accountability and environmental sensitivity

Reduce

What is Reducing?

Reducing, or Source Reduction, at NCDOT is waste prevention. From the office to the construction site NCDOT actively pursues ways
to reduce waste. Waste prevention methods include, but are not limited to, technology, procedure and/or
process modifications, redesign and/or substitution of raw materials, improvements in educational training,
maintenance, and inventory control. Source reduction conserves resources, reduces pollution, and saves money.
Currently source reduction is NCDOT's top solution to reducing its waste stream because it actually prevents
the generation of waste in the first place. After source reduction, reusing and recycling (and composting)
are the preferred waste management options because they reduce the amount of waste going to landfills, conserve resources and
have a direct bearing on reducing cost associated with waste materials.

Reusing is the practice of buying or using items that are reusable. The Reuse program at NCDOT is an
environmentally sound, socially beneficial, and economical means for managing NCDOT surplus and discarded
items and materials. Many items and materials can be reused several times before being recycled or discarded.

Recycling at NCDOT consists of the collection of recyclable materials that would otherwise be considered
waste, sorting and processing recyclable materials, sending recyclable materials to companies who will
convert these materials into new products, and finally NCDOT "buying recycled" products through its
Purchasing Department.

Looking for someone who can take your recycle materials?
Go to DENR's web page or to the NC Division of Waste Management. You can also contact your local City/County Waste Management Division
on information as to where you can take your recycle materials.